Messenger. And then he sends you word
He dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm:
1790Besides, he says there are two councils held;
And that may be determined at the one
which may make you and him to rue at the other.
Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure,
If presently you will take horse with him,
1795And with all speed post with him toward the north,
To shun the danger that his soul divines.

Lord Hastings. Go, fellow, go, return unto thy lord;
Bid him not fear the separated councils
His honour and myself are at the one,
1800And at the other is my servant Catesby
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us
Whereof I shall not have intelligence.
Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance:
And for his dreams, I wonder he is so fond
1805To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers
To fly the boar before the boar pursues,
Were to incense the boar to follow us
And make pursuit where he did mean no chase.
Go, bid thy master rise and come to me
1810And we will both together to the Tower,
Where, he shall see, the boar will use us kindly.

Lord Hastings. I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders
Ere I will see the crown so foul misplaced.
1825But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it?

Sir William Catesby. Ay, on my life; and hopes to find forward
Upon his party for the gain thereof:
And thereupon he sends you this good news,
That this same very day your enemies,
1830The kindred of the queen, must die at Pomfret.

Lord Hastings. Indeed, I am no mourner for that news,
Because they have been still mine enemies:
But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side,
To bar my master's heirs in true descent,
1835God knows I will not do it, to the death.

Lord Hastings. Ere a fortnight make me elder,
I'll send some packing that yet think not on it.

Sir William Catesby. 'Tis a vile thing to die, my gracious lord,
1845When men are unprepared and look not for it.

Lord Hastings. O monstrous, monstrous! and so falls it out
With Rivers, Vaughan, Grey: and so 'twill do
With some men else, who think themselves as safe
As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear
1850To princely Richard and to Buckingham.

Sir William Catesby. The princes both make high account of you;
[Aside]For they account his head upon the bridge.

Lord Hastings. I know they do; and I have well deserved it.
1855[Enter STANLEY]Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, man?
Fear you the boar, and go so unprovided?

Sir William Stanley. My lord, good morrow; good morrow, Catesby:
You may jest on, but, by the holy rood,
1860I do not like these several councils, I.

Lord Hastings. My lord,
I hold my life as dear as you do yours;
And never in my life, I do protest,
Was it more precious to me than 'tis now:
1865Think you, but that I know our state secure,
I would be so triumphant as I am?

Sir William Stanley. The lords at Pomfret, when they rode from London,
Were jocund, and supposed their state was sure,
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust;
1870But yet, you see how soon the day o'ercast.
This sudden stag of rancour I misdoubt:
Pray God, I say, I prove a needless coward!
What, shall we toward the Tower? the day is spent.

Lord Hastings. Come, come, have with you. Wot you what, my lord?
1875To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded.

Sir William Stanley. They, for their truth, might better wear their heads
Than some that have accused them wear their hats.
But come, my lord, let us away.

[Enter a Pursuivant]

Lord Hastings. Go on before; I'll talk with this good fellow.
[Exeunt STANLEY and CATESBY]How now, sirrah! how goes the world with thee?

Lord Hastings. I tell thee, man, 'tis better with me now
1885Than when I met thee last where now we meet:
Then was I going prisoner to the Tower,
By the suggestion of the queen's allies;
But now, I tell thee—keep it to thyself—
This day those enemies are put to death,
1890And I in better state than e'er I was.